Celtic ace Hyeongyu Oh says he wants a crack at the Champions League - and one of his striking idols Karim Benzema.
The South Korean striker is enjoying life in Glasgow and could be a key man for Ange Postecoglou’s side in their Premiership title run-in. The Hoops look certain to clinch their second successive league flag and that will guarantee Champions League group stage football next term.
Oh used to watch the tournament as a kid and is a big fan of French superstar Benzema. Celtic faced off with Madrid in group phase this season - going toe-to-toe with Carlo Ancelotti’s side at Parkhead before suffering a heavy defeat at the Bernabeu. But the 21-year-old forward would love another crack at the Spanish giants He said: “I’m very much looking forward to the possibility of playing in the Champions League. These were the games I watched on TV in Korea when I was young.
“The games at that level give you the chance to play against the best players in the world. So I’ll do my best to prepare well for next season.
“I always supported Celtic in the Champions League but I also watched the games of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich to learn everything I could from their quality.
“I was particularly interested in the front line players, those were the ones I learned from, guys like Benzema and others.”
Oh has scored twice already for Celtic since arriving in January and feels he’s constantly improving under Postecoglou at Parkhead.
Last season with Korean outfit Suwon Samsung Bluewings, he was battling at the bottom of the table. Now he’s challenging for honours at the top with Celtic. And in Japanese hit-man Kyogo Furuhashi, Oh says he’s got the perfect mentor.
He said: “I had different responsibilities to the team in Korea than I do with Celtic. At the moment I am trying to find out what my role is within the squad.
“Though you do have the same task, which is to always try our best to score goals and help the team win matches. Beyond that I am still learning what my role is in the group.
“All the players, all the coaches, all the staff are doing everything they can to help me settle in Glasgow and at Celtic. I believe I have a lot to show to the fans and I am always conscious to do my best for them so they will not be disappointed in me.
“Kyogo is the leading goalscorer in the Scottish league and I think every game he has proven why he is in this position. I am learning a lot from him. From his movement on the pitch and also how he managed to settle in the Scottish league so quickly.
“I think we can have a healthy competition between us and I will try to do my best to help the team and learn from him.”
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